Study a graduate program in business and management studies

What will I study on a graduate business and management studies program?

Think you can work to targets? Driven to succeed and make it in business? Think you could create the next Apple or Facebook? A graduate business and management program could be the difference between being a middle manager or running your own business.

Postgraduate courses in businesses and management focus on providing you with the skills to manage people and resources successfully. You will need to develop strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, as well as understanding what makes people tick in business.

Expect a graduate business and management program to specialise in a particular field, such as:

Banking and finance

Consultancy

Manufacturing

Advertising

Length of program

The length of a graduate business and management program depends on where you study and at what level. Masters courses generally last between 1-3 years, but MBA programs can go on for several years if taken part-time. Postgraduate courses generally last the following duration in these countries:

UK – 1-3 years

US – 2-4 years

China – 1-3 years

Canada – 1-2 years

Entry requirements

In order to get onto a graduate business and management program, you will be expected to have completed an undergraduate degree in a related subject, such as business, economics or accounting.

Top postgraduate courses in business are extremely competitive, so the better your work experience and the higher your qualification, the more chance you have of being admitted. Some business courses require you to have a high GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score.

If you are studying in a country where the first language is different from your own, you may be required to take a language test to prove your skills.

Career development

A postgraduate course in business and management could your ticket to sending your career soaring. The skills you learn and contacts you make will allow you to apply for higher level management positions, or even set up your own company.

A good business degree will also send your salary soaring. A high level Masters or MBA can often see your salary double with three to four years.

Some of the jobs included in this field are:

Management consultant

Entrepreneur

Retail manager

Economist

Fees and funding

The cost of a graduate business and management program varies widely from country to country and university to university. Remember that fees depend on whether you are a home, EU or international student. Some MBA programs are among the most expensive courses in the world.

As a guide, expect to pay the following for a Masters program (see here for MBA tuition fees) in these countries per year:

UK - £4,500 - £17,000

USA - $5,000 - $30,000

Germany €2,000 - €5,000

Canada - $4,000-8,000

China – RMB 21,000-24,000

What to do next

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